Break the Chains: Global Efforts in Eradication and Prevention of Human Trafficking

Dear Colleagues,

We need to raise global awareness of human trafficking since it is still a hidden crime that often goes unnoticed by the general public. This journal will raise awareness and bring attention to the complexities and severity of the issue. This will provide a platform for researchers, activists, and policymakers to share their findings, strategies, and innovations. This helps in disseminating knowledge and best practices widely. We must recognize that human trafficking is a multifaceted issue involving legal, social, economic, and health dimensions. Evidence-based research and understanding of the impact of these issues will inform policymaking and aid the development of effective laws and interventions to combat human trafficking. By fostering this topic as a global issue, this edition will serve as an educational tool for students, educators, and the public, helping to build a more informed and proactive society. More importantly, it will provide a voice for advocates and activists working to combat human trafficking, offering them a platform to highlight their work and inspire others to join the cause and help coordinate efforts toward eradication.

Addressing a special topic journal on human trafficking at a global level is crucial for several reasons. Human trafficking is a transnational crime that affects every country in the world. Victims are trafficked across borders, and traffickers often operate in multiple countries. A global journal can address these cross-border aspects and comprehensively understand the issue. Different countries may have developed unique and effective strategies to combat human trafficking. This global journal allows for the sharing of these best practices, which can be adapted and implemented in other regions. Many countries have varying laws and regulations regarding human trafficking. A global journal can help harmonize policies by highlighting successful legal frameworks and advocating for international standards and cooperation. With education and advice, we can highlight the global scale of human trafficking and help to mobilize resources, both financial and human, from international organizations, governments, and NGOs to tackle the problem more effectively.

Human trafficking manifests differently in various cultural and regional contexts. A global journal can provide insights into these differences, allowing for more culturally sensitive and region-specific interventions. Combating human trafficking requires coordinated international efforts. A global journal fosters collaboration among researchers, policymakers, law enforcement, and NGOs from different countries, facilitating joint initiatives and partnerships.

A global journal can raise awareness about human trafficking on an international scale, informing and engaging a wider audience. This can lead to greater public support and political will to address the issue. It is important to understand just how human trafficking is driven by both supply (vulnerable populations) and demand (for cheap labor, sex work, etc.). A global journal can address both aspects by examining the economic and social factors that impact trafficking. Having a dedicated journal on this topic can provide a platform for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of anti-trafficking efforts across different regions, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.

Some important topics to review:

• Healthcare issues and human trafficking;
• Sexploitation and children;
• Media misinformation and risk assessment;
• Global initiatives;
• Issues specific to survivors and government responsibilities to assist them;
• Use of international task forces and global communication to combat human trafficking;
• The entanglement of human trafficking with other forms, including narcotics, organs, animals/wildlife, guns, and illegal servitude.

Prof. Dr. Cathryn Lavery
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Social Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• human trafficking
• sexploitation
• slavery
• labor trafficking
• drug trafficking
• mules
• terrorism
• asylum
• task forces
• global health
• illegal servitude
• wildlife trafficking